Jack Brooks during his 42 year of congress at his campaign headquarters at 310 North 11th Street in Beaumont. Photo was taken in 1994

Jack Brooks during his 42 year of congress at his campaign headquarters at 310 North 11th Street in Beaumont. Photo was taken in 1994

Photo: Beaumont Enterprise

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Charlotte and Jack Brooks look over election results during a 1982 election.

Charlotte and Jack Brooks look over election results during a 1982 election.

Photo: Beaumont Enterprise

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Jack Brooks watches as the curtain is removed from from his likeness at Lamar University in 1989.

Jack Brooks watches as the curtain is removed from from his likeness at Lamar University in 1989.

Photo: Beaumont Enterprise

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Jack Brooks in 1989.

Jack Brooks in 1989.

Photo: Beaumont Enterprise

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In this March 3, 2008, file photo, former U.S. Rep Jack Brooks escorts Hillary Rodham Clinton to the stage during a campaign stop at the Beaumont, Texas, Airport. Brooks, a Democrat who spent 42 years representing his Southeast Texas district, has died at age 89. less

In this March 3, 2008, file photo, former U.S. Rep Jack Brooks escorts Hillary Rodham Clinton to the stage during a campaign stop at the Beaumont, Texas, Airport. Brooks, a Democrat who spent 42 years ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo

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In this Feb. 20, 2008, file photo, former U.S. Rep. Jack Brooks, right, stands alongside former President Bill Clinton during a rally in downtown Beaumont, Texas. Brooks, a Democrat who spent 42 years representing his Southeast Texas district, has died at age 89. less

In this Feb. 20, 2008, file photo, former U.S. Rep. Jack Brooks, right, stands alongside former President Bill Clinton during a rally in downtown Beaumont, Texas. Brooks, a Democrat who spent 42 years ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco / AP Photo

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Former congressman Jack Brook's Stetson hat on display at his "Celebration of Life" services at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas, on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The famed congress man died Tuesday night at Baptist Hospital from a sudden illness. less

Former congressman Jack Brook's Stetson hat on display at his "Celebration of Life" services at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas, on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The famed congress man died Tuesday night at ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco / AP Photo

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The Top Ten: Texas remembers Pearl Harbor, Jack Brooks, Ron Paul

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Each week, Texas on the Potomac gives you a second glimpse at the most popular posts on our site. Here are your ten favorite posts for the week of Dec. 2 to Dec. 8:

1. Texas politicians react to death of Jack Brooks. The last giant from the era of Democratic domination of the Texas congressional delegation, former Rep. Jack Brooks of Beaumont, has died. Here are reactions from former colleagues and fellow politicians. Rick Dunham reports >>

2. George W. Bush urges lawmakers to approach immigration with a “benevolent spirit.” “Not only do immigrants help build our economy, they invigorate our soul. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time,” the former president told the audience.Jana Kasperkevic reports >>

3. Texas lawmakers mark the 71st anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack. Today marks 71 years since Pearl Harbor was attacked. Nation and Texas lawmakers alike took to social media to remember “a date which will live in infamy.” Jana Kasperkevic reports >>

4. Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich team up to oppose drones. Supporters of the “war on terror” in both parties tend to support the use of unmanned aircraft that often try to assassinate terrorism suspects. But libertarian Republicans have teamed up with civil liberties-backing Democrats to oppose the drones. Max Kranl reports >>

5. Democrats block Lamar Smith’s bill for more highly educated immigrants. Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked one of the first Republican bills for immigration reform since GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney lost the election in part because of weak Latino support. Summer Ballentine reports >>

7. Texas will not secede, will remain “a beacon for all the people that want to live free,” says Governor Rick Perry. “That’s not gonna happen,” said Perry, dismissing the talk of secession as well as of Texas splitting into multiple states. “We are going to maintain the state of Texas as it is.” Jana Kasperkevic reports >>

8. Louie Gohmert: “The rich are gonna move” from U.S. if Bush tax cuts expire Rep. Louie Gohmert argued that allowing the Bush era tax cuts to expire for the wealthy should not be an option during the fiscal cliff negotiations. Kyle Campbell reports >>

9. The petition to let Texas secede from the U.S. to be reviewed by the White House. More than 25,000 Texans have already signed the petition on The White House website to let Texas peacefully secede from United States of America and “create its own NEW government.” Jana Kasperkevic reports >>

10. As Hillary Clinton attempts to retire ’08 campaign debt, she could look to Castro brothers for help. If Bill Clinton’s efforts to retire his wife’s debt do not pan out, Hillary Clinton should definitely reach out the the Castro brothers, who in 2008 were a staunch Clinton supporters. Jana Kasperkevic reports >>